Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42540601›Full record

ReviewArchives of medical science : AMS2026

Effects of tai chi on balance function among stroke patients: a meta-analysis.

Xiaohui Qin, Meilin Jiang, Haiqun Lin, Caixia Hu, Jinke Huang

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In one paragraph

Review in Archives of medical science : AMS, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Xiaohui QinDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China.
Meilin JiangFoshan Clinical Medical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Foshan, China.
Haiqun LinThe Ninth Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, China.
Caixia HuDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China.
Jinke HuangDepartment of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Impaired balance is a common and debilitating sequela among stroke survivors. Tai chi (TC), a traditional mind-body exercise, has emerged as a promising rehabilitative intervention. This meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of TC on balance function in post-stroke patients. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across eight electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, and Wanfang Data) from their inception until May 13, 2025, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Eligible studies compared TC (as an adjunct or standalone therapy) with conventional rehabilitation therapy (CRT) in stroke patients, using balance-related outcomes as endpoints. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Statistical synthesis was performed using RevMan software (version 5.4). Results: Twenty RCTs involving 1296 participants were included. The pooled results demonstrated that, compared to CRT alone, the integration of TC with CRT led to significantly greater improvements across multiple balance measures: the Berg Balance Scale (mean difference [MD] = 6.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.19 to 7.15), the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale (MD = 7.18, 95% CI: 4.14 to 10.23), the Timed Up-and-Go test (MD = -2.03, 95% CI: -3.65 to -0.41), the Functional Reach Test (MD = 2.81, 95% CI: 0.29 to 5.33), the Modified Fall Efficacy Scale (MD = 8.70, 95% CI: 4.36 to 13.04), and the Fall Risk Index (MD = -0.78, 95% CI: -1.22 to -0.34). Conclusions: Current evidence suggests a beneficial effect of integrating TC with CRT for improving balance after stroke. However, due to methodological limitations and the overall quality of the included trials, these findings should be interpreted with caution. More rigorous and well-designed studies are needed before definitive clinical recommendations can be established.

Indexed as

balancemeta-analysisrehabilitationstroketai chi

Identifiers

PMID42540601
PMCPMC13426186

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.